Jimmy Butler talks most unstoppable teammate, playing The Heatles and his style of play
Jimmy Butler has played with some elite talent during his career.
Since being drafted in 2011, the Miami Heat forward has played with dominant forces such as Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns but also a future Hall of Famers such as Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol. But none of them made the cut when Butler was asked to name his most unstoppable teammate.
“Prime D-Rose,” Butler told The Players’ Tribune. “Like MVP [Derrick] Rose.”
To some, that might sound like a stretch (if that’s you, here’s a refresher). Butler, however, must have anticipated some backlash and justified it by explaining how phenomenal Rose actually was.
“When I’d see him do stuff in practice, I’d be like ‘Man that’s absolutely incredible,’” Butler continued. “Then he’d go and do it two times in the game.”
Coming off his MVP season, Rose only played 40 games during Butler’s rookie season because of injuries. That still didn’t stop him from showing flashes of greatness — Rose still averaged 22 points and eight assists in the regular season.
As for the most unstoppable player in the league right now, Butler pointed to The Beard a.k.a. James Harden.
“He’s legendary for his little step back,” Butler said. “You can say that it’s a travel, you can say it’s not a travel. Ref doesn’t call it so I’m all for it.”
Butler also paid his respect to The Heatles when asked which team was the most difficult to play against.
“You’re talking about D-Wade, Chris Bosh, Bron, Ray Allen, Shane Battier,” he said. “I’m going with them. Pick your year: they were the ones to beat.”
The conversation ended on a personal note with the interviewer asking Butler what makes him so unstoppable. His response was true to form.
“I just really don’t give a damn,” Butler concluded. “I’m not scared of you. I don’t care if you average 40, I’m here to battle.”
Despite the flack Butler has received in the past, you can bet that his “don’t-give-a-damn” attitude is probably what has endeared him to his current teammates.
This story was originally published November 28, 2019 at 8:24 AM.
